warehouse worker

production operator

leadership development program

associate

butcher

Kepak-Group

I applied for a job and it turned out they ended up having a re shuffle so I couldn't get the fll time that I wanted however my manager then said about them needing casuals (basically a help in hand,cover for people etc) I found out more information and I was interested I mean a job is better than no job.when I went to the interview I was nervous and wondered what he was going to be like etc. when he greeted me he was really welcoming, nice and professional at the same time.we instantly was having a laugh as well as getting through the interview at a proffessionl standard , he clearly explained everything and answered any of my questions really well.i walked away feeling hopeful as the interview went so well I had my interview on a Tuesday and and started working for them at 7;30am on the Thursday the same week. I obviously had to fill out forms and give some information but the process was easy and I just got on with it as I was keen to work.when I got there on the Thursday I had to first sign in at the gatehuse and then wait for my manager to come and collect me. he checked that I was in the correct uniform and that I was hygienic and smart then I got to work. I got along witheveryone straight away as at kepak they have a really nice team. overall I think it is a fantastic place to work and on the plus side I'm on a good rate of pay for my age. I am hoping that I will be able to work there full time at somepoint.
a typical day at work is just really food handling,cleaning of the place,customer service/till work and displays.just enjoying the day because of the nice people.
I already knew really what to do etc
the management is brilliant really just maybe need to employ less people sort hours out bit better.
the hardest part of the job is communicating with people fro different countrie as a lot of them cant really speak English.
id say the most enjoyable prt is tht you are communicating all day as I love talking and having a laugh aswell as feeling productive.

When Kepak took over from 2SFG it was very clear they know the business, they know meat and the meat industry and they have a clear desire and a direction to be or remain, no 1.

However, the changes imposed to achieve that seemed rushed and haphazard at times. Reasons for changes not explained, more imposed.

Kepak have reduced staffing and sites since they took over, closing three sites altogether and moving some work elsewhere.
Job losses have resulted, but they do try to help to find other roles within the business. Former leavers do return. Staff do retrain and take on new roles. Many of course, were lost through redundancy.

Bodmin is a bovine slaughter and boning site. If this offends or causes you difficulty this is not a workplace for you.

Hard physical work and pay can be very good in some areas, but not others. Team work ethos in some sections is impressive and workers have remained loyal through several business changes of owners.
Pay rises rare or non existent in recent times, Although new to Kepak, they have worked with the union USDAW at St Merryn so this may change going forward, with differing pay structures. 

Mostly days operation with early starts, usually till finish. Mon - Fri the norm except for shift workers in certain areas. You will work long hours when busy but may catch up on the hours when quieter.

Strict adherence to policy as you would expect with food (meat) and many rules as required to maintain sites. On the spot audits and visits in which the factory usually does very well. Follow the rules and procedures and you will have no issues. Induction and training. Follow on training optional.

Management approachable. Team meetings, coffee shop, factory forum, Usdaw union recognised. Health and safety. First aiders and Mental health first aiders. On line courses. Webinars.

My day starts at 06.00am, I finish at 02.00pm. I work in the cookline where I check the raw burgers/ribs that have been made before they go into the cooking oven/grill. If they are the right shape, have no defects etc, I let them go past and get cooked, if they are in some way unacceptable then I remove them from the belt. Both my immediate bosses and those above them are all very helpful. The workplace culture at Kirkham is nice. There is a canteen available with food, which is always very good, at discounted prices and hot drinks are free. The staff in the canteen are always very cheerful and always make you feel welcome. If  there is a "hard" part of the job I would say that it has to be working in a chilled environment. As you are working with raw meat the temperature has to be kept low and we work in an area where the temperature runs at about 5 to 8 degrees celsius, so that might not suit everybody.

If you aren't afraid of working hard and pulling massive hours then McIntosh is a great place to work, the job load is absolutely immense but it will push you to become far more efficient at whatever task you do, often proving to be valuable life skills. Career progression can happen very quickly if you can prove your worth the investment in training courses and promotions etc, it's a fast paced working environment and management is always watching, if they like the way you work and think you're suitable for something new, they'll give you a shot. I will say that for your average run of the mill dude with no experience in the meat industry, it is pretty hardcore stuff, but it'll keep you fed, keep you active, pay your bills and help you find your feet while you look for something better, but there's hundreds of jobs in this factory, and transfers to different departments aren't impossible, it doesn't hurt to stick around, the first two weeks are the worst but after that you get used to it. 

I am working at Kepak Kirkham for 17 years. That tells all what I think about Kepak. People who loves overtimes, seeks opportunities, this is place for you. At Kepak - 3 shift rotation, time an a half pay after 36 hours, double pay on Sundays, double pay and day in the lieu if you worked on bank holiday. Wages payed every week and always on time. Holiday pay gets worked out average worked hours from last 17 weeks. Easy access to factory. Day at work - packing burgers on production line(Rotation every hour), Operating machinery(paperless system in place that helps reduce mistakes). More job you learn higher wages you get. Bupa health and dental insurance available. Multinational workforce. English language is not mandatory on production line.  Stability, pension and lot more benefits. 

I've been working at Kirkham for nearly 2 years now. I enjoy the fast-paced environment, and working with a great team. There's a thriving diverse workforce, and interpreters are also provided for meetings and interviews if required, so language is not a barrier. Managers are passionate about the job and most have progressed from roles on the factory floor. There's lots of support available and opportunities to progress through learning and development initiatives. Standards are high across the whole factory and office, so if you are hard working and keen to do a good job, this is a great place to work. Good rates of pay and benefits, such as bonuses, too as well as time and a half for overtime 

1. Management has no respect towards the work-life balance despite having all the fancy procedures promoting it. Basically those procedures and many others are just there to cover the company and not to help employees. 
2. The fact that main boss and his right hand are there almost 24/7 should not mean that everyone else is required to do the same. 
3. Production should be planned better rather than constantly expecting people to stay after hours. O/T cuts and break cuts did not help with that either, neither did lack of maintenance staff and constant breakdowns. 
4. Be prepared to have a lecture when trying to book time off. 
5. If you happen to have an accident due to lack of training - prepare for a disciplinary as hr will make it your fault. 


Very stressful workplace with poor management and little respect for employees, especially foreign workers. Staff were often pressured to work harder under threat of receiving fewer shifts or no work at all if considered ‘lazy’ by management. The environment felt mentally and physically exhausting, with favoritism and poor communication creating a toxic atmosphere. Hard work was expected constantly, but appreciation or support was rare. The job itself could be manageable, but the workplace culture made it difficult to stay motivated long term.

No regular pay increases for the engineering department ,you regularly work on shift alone as there is no staff as nobody stays due to the poor salary and politics that arise ,you are expected to repair toilets roofs anything on-site and work on machines you receive no training on ,covid positive staff are told to come in and work among none  positive staff by management without any  safety considerations for other people or effort to keep others safe ,you are just part of the machine .

What is the best part of working at the company?
being able to go home from a stressful day of constant belittlting and bullying


What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
being forced to go at a pace the managers set when they themselves have no idea how long it should take a new person to debone an animal


What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
very toxic. i hated every minute i was in the place. from bullying to race superority. if you wasn't polish or romanian you were treated unfairly by everbody who was polish and romanian

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
sad, depressing cold and painful

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Warehouse worker 9 salaries reported	£14.37 per hour
Production operator 12 salaries reported	£13.63 per hour
Leadership development program 11 salaries reported	£28,750 per year
Associate 11 salaries reported	£13.03 per hour
Butcher 3 salaries reported	£15.84 per hour

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